Archives for August 13, 2018

‘”He’s played a little bit before,” coach Sean McDermott told reporters before Sunday’s training-camp practice at St. John Fisher College. “We brought him in a few weeks back, so we kind of got a feel for him a few weeks ago. With a couple of guys going down the other day, it was good to have an awareness of what he did a few weeks back and hopefully what he can do for us starting (Sunday).”‘

‘”I get where you’re going with the age, and that’s usually tied to running backs, age 30, all that,” McDermott said. “He’s a special guy in terms of the way he’s handled himself this camp. Like I said, I was around him early in his career and I’m coming full circle to be around him again. To watch him develop and the way he’s handled this camp, he’s done a nice job.”‘

‘“I love the dude,” said Josh Allen, who has spent a lot of time working with Murphy with the third-string offense. “He runs big, you know he’s not going to be the biggest guy out there, but I saw him lower his shoulder into a middle linebacker and get three or four more yards, so out of a back that’s all you can ask for. A guy who is going to try to run through a wall to get extra yards. He’s going to hold onto the football, he’s dynamic outside, he can catch the ball so he’s someone to look out for, for sure.”’

‘With Mack’s holdout now going into the preseason, it’s possible that the Raiders could look to move the defensive standout. It’s unknown what the Raiders would look for in return for Mack, but several high draft picks would likely be a starting point.’

‘Hughes injured his groin during Buffalo’s preseason-opening 28-23 loss to Carolina on Thursday. Hughes has six seasons of NFL experience. He was signed on July 26, the day the Bills opened training camp.’

‘Athletic trainers examined McCarron’s lower right leg before he returned to participate in another 11-on-11 drill later in practice. McCarron again spoke to a trainer after that drill, slamming his helmet down in apparent frustration.’

‘After a solid performance by all three QBs turned in during the team’s first preseason game Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers, head coach Sean McDermott declined to say who would start the Friday’s game at the Cleveland Browns, only to say the team will continue with their rotation.’

‘McCarron continued and took all of his remaining reps, but had a noticeable limp for the remainder of the practice. With Peterman, he went down awkwardly during a team drill rep at the goal line and came out trying to flex his right arm. Peterman then started talking with the athletic training staff and began to toss the ball lightly in the background. He didn’t have another scheduled rep, so we don’t know if he would have returned or not just yet.’

‘”I think you guys get the gist by now,” McDermott said. “We’re going to take it one day at a time. You’ll see the rotation out there today and Josh working with different groups. The great part is, it’s a healthy competition. All three played well the other night. I like the progression of what they’ve done since the spring. I think they’re all growing and learning. It’s a very respectful group of guys, respectful of the situation and anytime you can get that kind of competition, I think it’s healthy.”‘

‘According to Pro-Football Reference, 46 times in NFL history as a running back aged 30 or more ran for more than 1,000 times in a season. McCoy’s career, to a degree, has been extended since he typically avoids the big hits.’

‘”I told him I was sorry about how I exploded. I’ve got to be better than that,” Mills said. “There’s kids and families out here. You gotta act better than that. I just went over there to apologize. He laughed it off. He wants me to set an example. I’m one of the leaders.”‘

‘”He’s a young player that continues to get better with each practice. [Ray Ray] made some plays in the scrimmage about a week or so, a week and a half ago or so. He made some plays the other night. That was good to see,” said Sean McDermott.’

‘“You guys get the gist by now, right?” McDermott answered, when asked about his quarterback plans this week. “We’ll take it one day at a time. You’ll see the rotation out there today, you’ll see Josh (Allen) working with different groups, the way he did before. It’s a great competition. All three of them played well the other night. We like the progression of what they’ve done since the spring.”’

‘He joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2012. He is a native of New Iberia, Louisiana and played his college football at Tulsa. He is entering his seventh NFL season and in addition to the Saints and the Rams he has also spent time with the Detroit Lions.’

‘“It’s just tempers from going at it every day,” Mills said. “Tempers flare. Some guys might not like stuff. But it’s part of the game. You’re going to have tussles … you’re going to have this and that. But you just have to move on to the next play and take it out on the next play.”’

‘“With Josh Allen, I think you are dealing with a different kind of player,” said Cosell of Allen as compared to Nathan Peterman and A.J. McCarron. “His ability to make the more spectacular kind of throws in the pocket and his ability to get outside the pocket and make plays is a little different than [A.J.] McCarron and [Nathan] Peterman.”’